Cricket Archive

Ireland thrash a Scotland XI by Gerry Byrne

Scorecard:

Colonel Buchanan's Scotland Team v Ireland

C.Lawrence took his United All Ireland XI abroad for the first time. They began by playing XXII of North of Ireland and drawing the game much in the United XI’s favour. Crossing to Scotland they played and lost to XVI of Clydesdale Club and Ground at Glasgow. Sands, a professional, and Hornsby bowled out the Irishmen for 84 and 63, only A.Brenan batting well. Now to the game at Drumpellier against Col Buchanan’s XVI which was drawn from the Clubs in the Glasgow area. Because of this limitation it was not really representative of all Scottish cricket, there being no players from Perth, Edinburgh or Stirling. Buchanan himself was a great enthusiast and an active player. Many clubs in the Glasgow area owe their start to his name and financial support – particularly the West of Scotland and Drumpellier Clubs. In 1879 the first attempt was made at forming a Scottish Union and Col Buchanan was one of their two Joint Presidents.

Of Ireland’s three new players, Brenan played six times in 1860 and 1861, scoring 113 runs in 10 innings and keeping wicket in 5 of his 6 matches. Mahaffy was a crafty bowler of the slow underhand variety and afterwards became Provost of Trinity College. He played 6 times up to 1868 taking 15 wickets at only 5 runs apiece. Due to the splendid bowling of Samuels and Lawrence Mahaffy did not get an over in this match. Indeed so extraordinarily good were Samuels and Lawrence that no player of the XVI reached double figures in either innings. In the second innings Samuels took 10 wickets with his underarm slows – a record still standing 140 years later, (even if it was against XVI). Doyle, Quinn and Lawrence all reached 20 with the bat.

Very little description of the match remains but the following is taken from the Irish Times:-

“The XI arrived at Drumpellier at 11.00 a.m. Many thought the XVI would win as many of the best players in Scotland were playing with some valuable assistance from England – also Usherwood, the professional bowler. But the XI were sanguine. The XVI won the toss and went in but were removed quickly by the fine bowling of Samuels and Lawrence for 59. The XI went in and at the call of time at 7.15 p.m. were 117 for 5. The game was resumed on the second day and Lawrence, who was playing in a fine style on the previous evening increased his score to 23 when hew as given out caught off his wrist by a bumper. The batting of Doyle, Lawrence, Brenan and Quinn was very fine. Doyle was presented with a bat by the XI for his fine innings of 27. The total was 143. In the second innings the XVI made only 40 Samuels getting 10 wickets and the XI won by an innings and 44 runs. The XI separated after the match, some to enjoy the scenery of Edinburgh and some to bask in the sweets of home. In concluding these remarks we must not forget the brilliant fielding of G.F.Barry who, there is little doubt, has not the equal in that department.”